Unfortunate: Arunachal wushu players miss global event over stapled visas from China

Upset with Chinese authorities issuing stapled visas to three athletes from Arunachal Pradesh, the Government of India on Thursday requested the entire Wushu team scheduled to leave for China to participate in the World University Games, not to board the flight.

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “It has come to our notice that Stapled visas were issued to some of our citizens representing the country in an international sporting event in China. This is unacceptable. And we have lodged our strong protest with the Chinese side reiterating our consistent position on the matter and India deserves the right to suitably respond to such actions.”

What is the story?
The issue arose after three wushu players in the team – Nyeman Wangsu, Onilu Tega and Mepung Lamgu, all from Arunachal Pradesh who were supposed to participate in the World University Games scheduled to be held from July 28-August 8, were handed stapled visa by the Chinese authorities.

The issuance of stapled visas has been a source of friction between India and China. The Northeastern state’s people continue to receive stapled visas rather than stamped ones from China, which has long asserted territorial claims over the region.

The majority of the athletes were scheduled to leave last night, with the three Arunachal players to leave tonight due to delay in their visas.

But outraged by the Chinese government’s response, the Indian government made the decision to stop any member of the Indian Wushu team from visiting China for the Games.

The initial departure time for the flight was 1:05 am on Thursday. Even after they received security clearance, the authorities told them to go back to their homes.

As of now, the government has not made a final decision regarding the team’s participation in the Games.

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